CVE-2024-31366 in Post Type Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Themify Post Type Builder (PTB).This issue affects Post Type Builder (PTB): from n/a through 2.0.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-31366 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Themify Post Type Builder plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified beginning version through 2.0.8. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient authorization issues that can severely compromise the security posture of WordPress installations. The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to perform administrative actions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only, creating a significant risk for website owners and administrators who rely on the plugin for custom post type management and content creation.
The technical nature of this missing authorization vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the PTB plugin's codebase. When a user interacts with the plugin's administrative interfaces or API endpoints, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to execute specific operations. This flaw typically manifests when the plugin does not adequately check user roles, capabilities, or authentication status before processing sensitive requests. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct API calls, manipulated form submissions, or by leveraging existing user sessions to perform unauthorized modifications to post types, custom fields, or plugin configurations. According to CWE-863, this represents a weakness where an actor is able to access resources or perform actions for which they are not authorized, directly violating the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure system design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to completely compromise the affected WordPress installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could modify or delete custom post types, manipulate content creation workflows, alter plugin settings, or even inject malicious code into the system. This risk is particularly severe in multi-user environments where different roles and permissions are expected to be enforced. The vulnerability could also facilitate privilege escalation attacks where a low-privilege user gains administrative capabilities, leading to complete system compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, as attackers can use the unauthorized access to establish long-term control over the affected systems. The impact is further amplified by the fact that many WordPress administrators may not regularly audit their plugin configurations or monitor for unauthorized modifications, making detection of such attacks difficult.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-31366 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most critical step involves updating the Themify Post Type Builder plugin to version 2.0.9 or later, where the authorization checks have been properly implemented to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring of user activities and access logs, and enforcement of strong authentication mechanisms. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls that limit the capabilities of users who do not require full administrative privileges, thereby reducing the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other plugins or custom code components that may be present in the WordPress environment. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure that legitimate administrative functions remain operational while unauthorized access attempts are properly blocked.